Match-safe.



No. 800,070. PATENTBD 00T. s, 1905. J. E. NEAHR.

MATCH SAFE.

APPLICATIO FILE-D APR. 7, 1903.

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MATCH-SAFE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 3, 1905.

Application filed April 7, 1903. Serial No. 151.517.

To all w/wm, it may concern:

Be it known thatI, JACOB E. NEAHR, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Boston, Suffolk county, Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Match-Safes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to match-safes, and is intended to provide areceptacle for matches and conveniently arrange with reference thereto a strip of igniting material supported to be struck by the matches so as to be capable of frequent adjustment or renewal as the iguiting-surface becomes worn away.

Theinvention comprises generally a matchreceptacle, a coiled strip of igniting material supported in convenient relationship to said receptacle, and a spring arranged to press upon the outside of the coiled strip toward the center thereof in order to hold the strip in place while permitting its frequent adjustment. These and other specific features of my invention will be particularly described in the following specification.

In the drawings I have shown one of the various forms under which my invention may be embodied.

Figure l is a front elevation of the entire device. Fig. Q is a side elevation. Fig. 3 is a side elevation in vertical section. Fig. 4 is a horizontal plan view taken below the matchreceptacle. Fig. 5 is a side elevation with the strip-holder in the open position which it occupies when a new strip is to be inserted. Fig. 6 is a rear elevation of the entire device.

This invention is intended to provideasimple and inexpensive means for holding the coil ignition-strip adjustably in place as the size or thickness of the coil decreases owing to the consumption of the igniting material.

The device in the form herein shown comprises generally a back ct, to which is secured the match receptacle or pocketb, beneath which is arranged the spirally-coiled igniting-strip c, which rests upon the supporting ledge or shelf CZ, which in this case is pivotally or hingedly connected to the back plate. The

flexible ignition-strip c may for convenience be wound about a central core or spool c to any desired thickness which the capacity of the holder will permit. The front wall of the match-receptacle Z) is provided with a small depending ledge or lip b. The support (Z is provided with a similar upwardly-projecting lip or flange cZ, which serves as a Stop to limit the forward movement or position of the coiled strip c. -To prevent the coil from unwinding, I have provided a keeper f, which has a spring portion f secured to the back plate and a clamping member or finger f2 of approximately circular shape to surround and clamp a portion of the strip c. The springtongue f is so positioned that it exerts a tension which tends to force the clamping member f forward toward the center of the strip or core upon which the strip may be wound. When the greatest length of strip is wound upon the core, the clamping memberf2 will be bent back so as to nearly coincide with the line of the spring f As pieces of the igniting material are torn off the clamp is advanced under the tension of the spring f' so as to exert a firm grip or pressure against the coiled material until it is exhausted, the coiled strip being moved forward until its front face comes in contact with the flanges b CZ.

For convenience in inserting fresh strips of the igniting material the strip-support l is here shown hingedly connected to the back plate. This may be accomplished in a very simple manner by offsetting or forming a lip at the lower end of the plate a, as shown at d, and by forming at suitable distances apart two vertical slots, as shown at a2, in the back plate. This arrangement of the slots forms a springtongue c3. The bottom plate or support Z is formed with an upturned ange Z2 somewhat longer than the width of the tongue c3, so that its two ends may be inserted into the slots a2. The natural resiliency or elasticity of the metal back tends to keep this iange Z2 in a vertical position, and hence to keep the Y main bottom plate CZ in a horizontal position. When it is desired to substitute a new strip, the front end of the plate Z is depressed until the parts occupy the position shown in Fig. 5, thus permitting a new strip to be wound about the core and placed in position against the front of the clamp f2, after which the plate Z may be sprung back into its horizontal position, so as to clamp or press the coiled strip c and its -core c upward against the bottom of the match-receptacle b.

As this device is constructed it is made of but four parts or pieces, the back plate a, receptacle b, the bottom plate (Z, and the spring follower or clamp f, each of which may be struck up from single pieces of sheet metal. Of course the core c, if used, is preferably a detached piece not secured positively to any IOO IOS

IIC

other part. One end of the clamp may be pointed or tI-shaped, as shown atf, so as to form a more eflicient cutting edge for cutting oi' the worn-out portions ot' the strip of igniting material.

The match-igniting strip c be made oi any suitable material, such as paper coated with a suitable chemical composition if the device is intended Jfor safety-matches or with sand or the like if the device is to be used in connection with ordinary parlor-matches.

Without attempting to set forth all the changes in form, construction, and arrangement of my device or all the uses to which it may be applied, what l claim is 1. A device of the class described, embracing in its construction a receptacle for matches, a spirally-eoiled strip coated with material for igniting matches, and a spring arranged to partly surround and to press inwardly toward the center of the strip to clamp and hold the strip from slipping' when struck by a match, substantially as described.

2. A device of the class described embracing in its construction, a match-receptacle, a spirally-coiled strip for igniting matches, a support for said strip, and a clamp or follower arranged to normally exert a pressure against the outer spiral of the strip toward the center to hold it against displacement while being scratched by matches.

3. A device of the class described, embracing in its construction, a back, a match-receptacle secured thereto, a plate hingedly connected with the back, a coiled strip of igniting material arranged between said receptacle and said hinged plate in position to be struck by matches.

4. A device of the class described, embracing in its construction a back, a match-receptacle secured thereto, a coiled strip arranged below the match receptacle, an inwardlypressed clamp to hold said coiled strip against displacement, and a support arranged beneath said strip and connected with the back plate, substantially as described.

5. A device of the class described, embracing it its construction a back plate slotted to form a spring-tongue, a bottom plate or support hingedly connected with said back plate so as to normally project at right angles therefrom, a match-receptacle arranged above the hinged plate, a strip of igniting material arranged between the match-receptacle and the hinged plate, a spring-follower arranged to press against the outside of the coiled strip to hold it in place.

(5. A device of the class described, embracing in its construction a bach plate, a matchreceptacle secured thereto, a bottom plate arranged below the match-receptacle and movable with reterence thereto, a coiled strip o't' igniting material arranged between the bottom plate and the receptacle, and a spring-clamp arranged to press against the outside of said coiled strip, substantially as described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 31st day of March, 1903.

JACOB E. NEAHP.

In presence of Gao. N. GODDARD, KATHARINF. A. DUGAN. 

